Air conditioning myths you should never believe
You may have heard about Air Conditioning Myths. Something a friend or neighbor shared that kind of made sense at the time. The world of life hacks, quick fixes, and tips and tricks is brimming with ways for homeowners to adjust how they cook their food, store their ingredients, clean up stains, wash their clothes, and repair items around the house. But some of these hacks are more informed than others, and some are duds that could end up costing more than they’re worth.
When trying to sort out which information is reliable about air conditioners, it can be particularly difficult, as a home’s A/C is a complex system of interconnected equipment, ducts, technology, and machinery. While there are some reliable tips out there that will help homeowners maximize their cost savings and home comfort, there are others that will fall flat. Here we’ve gathered a list of some of the most common myths to help homeowners avoid issues regarding their home A/C.
Air Conditioning Myth: If you dust and vacuum regularly, you don’t really need to change your air filter as recommended
Fact: Dusting and vacuuming regularly are good ways to rid a home of accumulated microbes, pollen, and other bacteria and allergens. But regular cleaning won’t take the place of replacing an air conditioner’s air filter.
Because the air circulated throughout the house is routed from both inside and outside of the home, dust, bacteria, allergens, pollen, and other air-borne debris will still move through the system and get caught in the air filter as the air is forced through the ducts. And if the accumulation on the air filter is ignored for too long, it can cause serious issues for an A/C, including forcing the unit to run harder than it needs to, leading to serious damage and overheating.
Air Conditioning Myth: Your A/C can make you sick/give you a cold
Fact: This myth actually partially ties into the above myth regarding air filters. In and of itself, an A/C will not make occupants in a home ill. But if the air filter is not cleaned or replaced on a regular cycle, and allowed to accumulate too much debris for too long, those air-borne pollutants will eventually find their way into the home’s regularly circulated airstream and have a negative impact on indoor air quality. This can cause allergens, bacteria, and mold spores to unintentionally spread, causing illnesses.
Air Conditioning Myth: The biggest A/C is the best A/C for cooling your home
Fact: Bigger is not always better. If an A/C is too big for a home, its performance will be hampered at best, and it can break down at worst. When an A/C is too large, it is prone to short-cycling, which not only provides less cooling and comfort to a home but also requires a greater amount of electricity to run more frequent cycles, spiking homeowner’s electricity bills.
Instead, homeowners should consult with heating and cooling professionals to find which systems are the best fit for their unique setup and needs.
Air Conditioning Myth: Only call a professional when something in the A/C breaks down
Fact: Homeowners should absolutely call a professional as soon as a major issue affects their A/C, to ensure that the issue is properly addressed and repaired before the air conditioner is turned back on. But home A/Cs also require regular preventative maintenance to maximize their efficiency and lifecycle. Bringing in an HVAC professional to service the A/C annually helps maintain the health of the system and catch minor issues before they become major headaches. It also saves homeowners a significant amount of money in emergency repairs.
The information regarding home air conditioners can be confusing and contradictory. With so many facts intermingling with opinions, it can be tricky to figure out what is correct and what is conjecture. If you have any questions regarding your home A/C, or if you need to schedule a repair or annual maintenance service, reach out to the professionals at Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling. Providing quality service for over 30 years, the licensed technicians at Duane Blanton will be able to inspect, diagnose, and repair any issue that may arise with your home’s furnace. Give the professionals at Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling a call today, at (815) 781-2567, or schedule online using their convenient online scheduling portal.
Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling is proud to be a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer, offering top-quality heating and cooling options to fit the specific needs of Duane Blanton customers. The quality, comfort, and efficiency of Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems’ products naturally align with Duane Blanton’s drive to provide an exceptional customer service experience. Ask a Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling expert today about the advantages of upgrading to a new Bryant Heating & Cooling system for your home!
